Frederick, Maryland,
United States - Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, 2 May 2014 -
Catholic Meditations
Meditations: Acts 5:34
But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the
law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a
little while. 35 He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these
men, what you are about to do. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making
himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined
themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and
came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the
enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as
many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38 Now I tell you, withdraw from
these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it
will be overthrown. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow
it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
40 They agreed with him.
Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the
name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 They therefore departed from the presence of
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for
Jesus’ name.
42 Every day, in the
temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the
Christ.
Saint Athanasius, Bishop
and Doctor of the Church
They did not stop
teaching and proclaiming the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)
In 2011, Italian
scientists announced a new finding about the Shroud of Turin, which many have
claimed to be Christ’s burial cloth. The scientists stated that the image on
the shroud, which resembled a crucified man, was not painted on. So how did it
get there? They tried to produce a similar effect on another piece of cloth
using lasers. They succeeded only partially, speculating that at least
thirty-four thousand billion watts of energy would be needed to produce such an
image.
That would make sense if
the man on the shroud had really been raised from the dead—for the power of God
is certainly greater than anything man-made!
The scribe Gamaliel may
have sensed this power when he heard the preaching of the apostles. Why didn’t
he simply join the rest of the Sanhedrin in condemning them? He was obviously
trying to be objective: If these men were telling the truth, it would be of no
use to try to stop them. Indeed, this small group of disciples couldn’t have
had the impact they were having without some powerful assistance!
Both the story of the
shroud and Gamaliel’s reasoning tell us that Christianity is more than just a
set of ideas. It is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes” (Romans 1:16). There is a dynamic force in the message of salvation
that can reach into hearts and lives and change people from the inside out—you
as well as the people in your life who don’t yet believe in Christ!
So don’t shortchange
yourself—or God, for that matter—by thinking that only extra-holy people can be
effective witnesses for Christ. If you can find just one opportunity today to
share something about your faith, you will be making a difference. It’s not
about you anyway; it’s about Jesus and his power! Surely you can rely on him as
you share your story. And when you do, know that it’s not just you speaking.
The Holy Spirit is there, in your words, adding his grace to your witness.
“Lord, I rejoice that
your Spirit is alive in me. May he shine through me today, and may I be
courageous in bearing witness to you in all that I say and do.” Amen.
Psalm 27: By David.
1 Yahweh is my light and
my salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
Yahweh is the strength
of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
4 One thing I have asked
of Yahweh, that I will seek after,
that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the
days of my life,
to see Yahweh’s beauty,
and to inquire in his temple.
13 I am still confident
of this:
I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the
land of the living.
14 Wait for Yahweh.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage.
Yes, wait for Yahweh.
John 6:1 After these
things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also
called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A great multitude followed him, because they saw
his signs which he did on those who were sick. 3 Jesus went up into the
mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of
the Jews, was at hand. 5 Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a
great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread,
that these may eat?” 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he
would do.
7 Philip answered him,
“Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone
of them may receive a little.”
8 One of his disciples,
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five
barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the
people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down,
in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus took the loaves; and having given
thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were
sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired. 12 When they
were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are
left over, that nothing be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled
twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left
over by those who had eaten. 14 When therefore the people saw the sign which
Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” 15
Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force,
to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
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